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Intercostal strain lands Tuiasosopo on disabled list

Intercostal strain lands Tuiasosopo on disabled list

6/19/13: Matt Tuiasosopo cracks a double to center, scoring Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta to cut the Orioles' lead in half in the sixth

By Jason Beck and Bobby Nightengale
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MLB.com |

DETROIT -- Matt Tuiasosopo was poised to become a bigger member of the Tigers' starting lineup, earning more playing time against right-handed pitchers in addition to the lefties he has been pummeling all year. Instead, with a bad swing in the batting cage, he became the latest casualty in the club's outfield.

What was hoped to be a minor rib cage strain that scratched Tuiasosopo from Thursday's starting lineup instead landed him on the 15-day disabled list Friday. Avisail Garcia, just optioned to Toledo on Wednesday, was recalled to take his place.

The injury is officially listed as an intercostal strain, the same issue that sidelined fellow outfielder Andy Dirks for a good chunk of Spring Training.

The DL move came on the night when the Tigers faced Jon Lester, one of the toughest left-handed starters in the league.

Garcia, who started in center field Friday for Austin Jackson, will take Tuiasosopo's role as a left fielder against lefties on most nights. Manager Jim Leyland said he could also end up getting starts against right-handers, much like he was pondering with Tuiasosopo. Garcia started against several righties in center while filling in for Jackson earlier this month.